Dual-Band Imaging Camera for Visible-IR Dynamic Range Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for acquiring both infrared and visible images simultaneously face challenges in luminous environments with large differences in light levels, leading to difficulties in image reconstruction due to limited dynamic range, and integrating multiple cameras increases cost and space constraints.

Innovation Solution

A single camera system with a dual-band bandpass filter and artificial light sources emitting in infrared and visible wavelengths, combined with a processing module to separate and control image signals, allowing image acquisition under various luminous conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single camera system is used to acquire both infrared and visible images, then system complexity and cost are reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to limited dynamic range when large differences in light levels exist between infrared and visible wavelengths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of exposure parameters (exposure time and gain) for the single camera system. The processing module continuously monitors the luminous environment and adjusts the exposure parameters adaptively to capture both infrared and visible images with appropriate signal levels, resolving the dynamic range limitation while maintaining a simple single-camera architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the exposure parameters (exposure time and gain) as controllable variables to optimize image acquisition under different luminous conditions. By servo-controlling these parameters based on the detected light levels, the system maintains image quality across varying infrared and visible light conditions without requiring multiple cameras

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If separate infrared and visible cameras are used, then image quality is maintained under all luminous conditions, but system cost and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the infrared and visible image acquisition functions into a single camera system with a sensor that is sensitive to both wavelengths. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple cameras and complex synchronization systems while maintaining the ability to capture both types of images simultaneously under all luminous conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single camera system is designed with universal sensitivity to both infrared and visible wavelengths. The sensor and optical system are configured to handle multiple wavelength ranges, allowing the same device to perform both infrared and visible image acquisition functions without requiring separate specialized cameras

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If a single camera sensitive to both wavelengths is used, then system compactness is improved, but the ability to correctly reconstruct both images deteriorates when large differences in light levels exist between infrared and visible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compactnessVSAvoidimage reconstruction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic adjustment of exposure parameters to compensate for the limited dynamic range of the single camera sensor. By continuously adapting the exposure time and gain based on the detected luminous conditions, the system achieves accurate reconstruction of both infrared and visible images despite the large differences in light levels between the two wavelength ranges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the acquisition of usable infrared and visible images for biometric recognition and visual-code reading under all luminous conditions, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a dual-band bandpass filter placed in front of the sensor, and in particular between the objective and said sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

an objective configured to focus light input into the acquiring device onto the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight focusing: Lens

Implementation Method 3

a sensor; an objective configured to focus light input into the acquiring device onto the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12526491B2System for acquiring a colour image and an infrared image of a scene

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 IDEMIA PUBLIC SECURITY FRANCE

AI summary

An acquiring system including an image-acquiring device, sensitive to visible and infrared wavelengths, including a sensor; an objective configured to focus light input into the acquiring device onto the sensor, a dual-band bandpass filter being placed in front of the sensor; a processing module configured to separate, once output by the sensor, the infrared image (IIR) and the visible image (Ivis) and to define at least one signal to be servo-controlled and an associated infrared-signal control setpoint depending on which at least one artificial light source is driven; the at least one artificial light source illuminating the scene including an artificial infrared light source.